Let It Grow, Let It Grow, Let It Grow
Shopping for a Christmas tree by the railroad tracks in downtown Los Angeles will impart a touch of the holiday spirit, and department stores and malls certainly do their best to put you in the mood.
But if you really want a snootful of the season, try visiting one of the local retail plant nurseries that go all out for the holidays.
Roger’s Gardens in Newport Beach is the most decked out (and may be the most decorated retail establishment around at this time of year). Roger’s has 35 exquisitely costumed trees draped with ornaments available to purchase ($2 to $60). Each tree has a theme (you’ll see one decorated only with angels, another with only wood ornaments). In Burbank, Sheridan Gardens has decorated more than 20 trees.
At this time of the season, many nurseries will be stocked with live garlands and greens, cut and living trees (sequoias, deodar cedars, Monterey and Aleppo pines), and of course, poinsettias. Cedar garlands cost about $1.70 a foot; living trees range from $35 to $125, while cut trees start at $20.
Burkard Nurseries in Pasadena sells thousands of poinsettias and displays them on a huge poinsettia pyramid inside. The nursery carries all the fancy kinds, such as the hot new “Winter Rose” with “blooms” that resemble a rose (they’re actually bracts, which are modified leaves). Prices range from $12 to $20, depending on size.
In addition to the flora, some of the bigger nurseries may have holiday gifts such as candles, picture frames, figurines, vases, soaps, potpourri, linens, wreaths, topiary and, of course, garden tools and books.
While nurseries may not be the first place people think of when it comes to Christmas shopping or decorating, they do have this advantage: You can also pick up that six-pack of English primroses for your winter garden while you’re there for the wreath (which will cost $25 to $30).
* Burkard Nurseries, 690 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 796-4355.
* Roger’s Gardens, 230l San Joaquin Hills Road, Newport Beach, (949) 640-5800.
* Sheridan Gardens, 817 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, (818) 841-8845.
